Santa Anita: Plutarch Edges Intrepido in Robert B. Lewis
In a thrilling display of equine prowess, Plutarch emerged victorious in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita, outpacing Intrepido in a late surge. This triumph marked Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert's eighth consecutive win and 14th overall in the prestigious one-mile race for three-year-olds. The race was a testament to the competitive spirit of the sport.
Intrepido, a previous winner of the American Pharoah Stakes (G1), took the lead under Hector Berrios, but faced a formidable challenge from Plutarch and jockey Florent Geroux. The race unfolded with Plutarch and Intrepido running side by side down the backstretch and around the second turn, showcasing the intensity of their rivalry. As the race progressed, Plutarch began to pull away, but Intrepido fought back along the inside, resulting in a close finish.
Plutarch, a colt by Into Mischief, secured his first stakes victory and first win on dirt, crossing the finish line in 1:37.02. This performance builds upon his third-place finish behind Intrepido in the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) last year. Prior to that, he broke his maiden on turf at Del Mar in November. Baffert, impressed by Plutarch's progress, likened him to another of his successful horses, Authentic, suggesting that distance might not be a limiting factor for the colt.
Secured Freedom, making his two-turn debut, finished third, while Desert Gate, the favorite, checked in fourth after a slow start. Cherokee Nation, a stablemate trained by Baffert, completed the race in fifth. The race highlighted the challenges faced by the favorite, as Desert Gate's slow beginning impacted its performance.
Intrepido, a Maximus Mischief colt trained by Jeff Mullins, made his first start since the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in October. Mullins expressed satisfaction with Intrepido's performance, despite his initial lead. The victory improved Plutarch's record to 6: 2-2-2, with earnings surpassing $190,000. He is owned by the prestigious Coolmore operation, with Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith as his owners.
Baffert expressed gratitude for the support from Coolmore, a partnership that has spanned years. Geroux shared the sentiment, hoping that Plutarch could develop into a Kentucky Derby contender. He praised Baffert's training prowess and the opportunity to ride for him as a significant honor.
The race results were as follows: Plutarch paid $10.20, $3.80, and $2.80; Intrepido returned $4.60 and $3.40; and Secured Freedom paid $3.80.
